Be careful using third party websites to book flights

**Keith** · 09-08-2008, 02:18 PM

http://www.independent.ie/business/i...s-1449260.html

Ryanair travellers may lose bookings "TENS of thousands of intending Ryanair passengers could find their bookings cancelled over the coming days.

The airline yesterday said it would annul all bookings made through third party websites. In a move described as "totally unreasonable" by the Consumers' Association, Ryanair boss Michael O'Leary said the new policy would apply to anyone travelling after next Monday. "

"Ryanair will give refunds to all of the websites involved, Mr O'Leary said, but passing on those refunds to intending passengers would be a matter for the websites. "

The hardline stance affects anyone who booked their Ryanair flights through websites like lastminute.com, v-tours, tui and Opodo.

**Keith** · 09-08-2008, 02:56 PM

Just been reading some more about this.

It seems as though there's a bit of a battle between the airlines and the websites that are booking through them. The airlines have fallen out with some of them because they feel they're missing out on the lucrative extras such as travel insurance that are offered to customers when they book straight on the airlines website.

Ryan air, easyjet have both been complaining about this. I think for the moment, I'd want to be booking flights directly on the airlines website to be absolutely sure the booking is honoured

**Debbie2** · 09-08-2008, 07:02 PM

Glad I bought my Ryanair flights to Latvia next Friday directly through their website.

**Tink** · 09-08-2008, 07:23 PM

I've had problems using third party websites here too. I've learned the hard way to go directly to the airlines. I may use a third party site to compare prices between several airlines, but that's about it.

Also, some of the least expensive airlines don't work with third party websites here.

One thing I did run into on my last flight was that I booked through United Airlines, but ended up on US Airways. What a pain in the neck to do anything with those tickets!

I had to call United, but what they "set" for me didn't hold with US Air. Made me crazy. So, another lesson learned. Watch when booking to see which airlines is actually providing the service. If it's different than the one you are booking through, stop the booking and go directly to the airlines that would be providing the service!

Traveling used to be fun. :sigh;